Outdoor mobile loading dock

ABSTRACT

An outdoor mobile loading dock having a frame and a planar ramp member. The frame including two opposing side rails and support beams, the support beams having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to one of the opposing side rails and the second end secured to the second opposing side rail. The planar ramp member having a lower end and an upper end, the upper end including an upper edge having a lip and an upper ramp portion adjacent the upper edge. The upper ramp member being substantially parallel to the ground.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application claiming the benefit ofapplication Ser. No. 15/977,350, filed on May 11, 2018, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mobile loading docks and more particularly toan outdoor mobile loading dock with improved vehicle traction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of loading docks have been devised to adjust the height ofdifferent trailers to properly match the deck of the trailer to theheight of the dock. By aligning the height of the trailer and the dockthe loading and unloading of cargo is facilitated.

There are numerous such devices in the prior art. One such device isseen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,446 to Gould which discloses a reinforcedplatform pivotally mounted to the ground at one end and includes a solidsurface ramp portion.

Loading docks of the prior art typically have certain disadvantages. Themajority of moveable loading docks have solid ramp surface onto whichvehicles drive when loading and unloading cargo. These solid rampsurfaces can become slippery with rain or ice as well as covered insnow. This can cause difficulties with traction and mobility for boththe vehicles and individuals involved as well as safety concerns.Removing snow or ice from solid surface ramp surfaces can be difficultand time consuming.

Some mobile loading docks of the prior art have certain shortcomings anddisadvantages to which this device is drawn. Specifically, it would beadvantageous to have an edge of dock leveler which has an improvedopen-grate platform for increased traction, mobility and safety.

In summary, there are problems and shortcomings in the prior art docklevelers and it is to these needs that this device is drawn.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a mobile loading dock withan open-grate surface for improved vehicle mobility and traction.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a mobile loadingdock with a planar ramp member that has an open-grate surface along itslength for improved vehicle mobility and traction.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing descriptions and from the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment of the present invention an outdoor mobile loadingdock having a frame and a planar ramp member. The frame having twoopposing side rails and support beams, the support beams having a firstend and a second end, the first end secured to one of the opposing siderails and the second end secured to the second opposing side rail. Theplanar ramp member having a lower end and an upper end, the upper endincluding an upper edge having a lip, the lip being able to be activatedbetween an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bed and aretracted/disengaged position; and an upper ramp portion adjacent theupper edge and being substantially parallel to the ground, the upperramp member being able to be moved between an upward and downwardposition, whereby vehicle mobility and traction on the planar rampmember are improved.

In some embodiments the mobile loading dock includes a solar panelmounted to the frame, the solar panel connected to a battery and ahydraulic pump to provide power for movement of the loading dock.Preferably, the battery is a rechargeable battery.

It is preferable in some embodiments that a solar-powered hydraulicsystem provides power which enables movement of the loading dock. Ahighly-preferred embodiment includes the planar ramp member beingsubstantially comprised of an open-grate surface, and preferably, theupper ramp portion includes an integrated dock leveler.

In preferred embodiments, the lip includes a moveable safety-barrierportion. The planar ramp member and lip in some embodiments are poweredby the solar-panel, hydraulic pump and battery.

Preferably, support beams are affixed to the underside of the upper rampmember and are configured to transfer and carry the forklift tire load.

Other preferred embodiments include an outdoor portable loading dockhaving a portable frame configured to allow the dock to be moved todifferent locations. The portable frame includes two opposing siderails, and support beams, the support beams having a first end and asecond end, the first end secured to one of the opposing side rails andthe second end secured to the second opposing side rail; and a planarramp member separate from and not integrally formed with the portableframe, the planar ramp member having a lower end and an upper end, theupper end including an upper edge having a lip, the lip being able to beactivated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bedand a retracted/disengaged position; and an upper ramp portion adjacentthe upper edge and being substantially parallel to the ground, the upperramp member being able to be moved between an upward and downwardposition, wherein vehicle mobility and traction on the planar rampmember are improved.

Preferred embodiments include the planar ramp member either being weldedor not welded to the portable frame.

In other preferred embodiments, an outdoor portable loading dockincludes a planar ramp member having a lower end and an upper end, theupper end including an upper edge having a lip, the lip being able to beactivated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bedand a retracted/disengaged position and an upper ramp portion adjacentthe upper edge and being substantially parallel to the ground, the upperramp member being able to be moved between an upward and downwardposition, such that vehicle mobility and traction on the planar rampmember are improved.

In such preferred embodiments, the planar ramp member is substantiallycomprised of an open-grate surface.

It is highly preferred that the upper ramp portion include an integralhinged dock leveler with a hinged safety barrier/lip. Preferably, theleveler bridges the gap from the ramp structure to the bed of thetrailer. As trailers have a variety of trailer bed heights, the leadingedge of the front-hinged lip that traverses into the trailer can safelybe placed on any trailer bed which is between 34″-58″ off of grade. Thiscorrelates to 98% or more of the trailers currently on the road.

It is also preferable to include an integral hinged dock leveler due tothe float required as the forklift enters the trailer. As a forkliftenters a trailer, the added weight of the forklift causes the suspensionand tires on the trailer to move up and down as the weight fluctuateswhile loading or unloading of cargo occurs. Preferably, the dock levelermust be able to float to maintain a safe bridge between the trailer andramp/dock.

It is highly preferred that the mobile loading dock include a hydraulicleveler. This eliminates a major problem with mechanical dock levelers,called “stump out,” which is caused by the safety support legs that areon all mechanical dock plates. “Stump out” occurs on trailer beds belowdock level. The mechanical leveler can have its legs retracted at thestart of the operation, but due to the vertical float of the trailerbed, these legs can snap back into a vertical position restricting thevertical travel of the dock plate.

Preferably, the hydraulic system utilizes the vertically mounted liftcylinder and a hydraulic flow control valve to provide the safety neededin case of a trailer prematurely departing, causing the leveler lip tobe unsupported. In the event of excessive flow, a velocity fuse willpreferably hydraulically lock, keeping the leveler and forklift driversafely supported. An embodiment of the mobile loading dock of thisapplication can include solar power, but does not have to. This providesthe added safety and ease of use of a hydraulic dock leveler without thetypical additional wiring. Very often it is quite difficult, expensiveand often impossible to get electrical service to the location of theportable or mobile docks as they are remote from buildings.

In some embodiments the upper ramp portion be made with open bar gratingmaterials instead of the standard steel tread plate. Other embodimentsinclude the upper ramp member being made with a standard, solid steeltread plate.

Preferably, the structure of the open grate dock leveler uses the topbar grate to only transfer the forklift tire loads from beam to beam,therefore requiring the beam structure underneath to carry the entireload without composite benefit from the traffic surface (planar rampmember). Therefore, the support beams are much larger and stronger inthe loading dock than in a traditional dock plate.

Preferably, the mobile loading dock is used outdoors as the ramp surfaceis made of open grating to allow snow and ice to fall through whichallows for better traction with the elimination of snow buildup on theramp surface. With a traditional dock plate outside, the solid plateholds the snow and ice which can cause dangerous conditions. This isespecially true considering a mechanical dock plate requires a user towalk up the inclined surface and to walk down the plate onto thetrailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the mobile loading dock;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the mobile loading dock in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper end of the mobile loading dockin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of the mobile loading dock embodiment of FIG. 3 takenin the direction of line 4-4; and

FIG. 5 is a further view of the mobile loading dock embodiment of FIG. 3taken in the direction of line 5-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5.The outdoor mobile loading dock 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, includes aframe 12 which has two opposing side rails 14 and support beams 16,support beams 16 having a first end 18 and a second end 20. First end 18is secured to one of opposing side rails 14 and second end 20 is securedto second opposing side rail 14. A planar ramp member 22 has a lower end24 and an upper end 26. Upper end 26 includes an upper edge 28 which hasa lip 30. Lip 30 is able to be activated between an extended/engagedposition to contact a truck bed (not shown) and a retracted/disengagedposition. Planar ramp member 22 has an upper ramp portion 34 adjacentupper edge 28 and is substantially parallel to the ground 36. In someembodiments upper ramp portion 34 has an open-grate section 38 tofacilitate drainage of water through open-grate section 38 to the ground36 below, but in other embodiments upper ramp portion 34 is a solidplate and does not have an open-grate section. Planar ramp member 22 isable to be moved between upward and downward positions; as a resultvehicle mobility and traction on planar ramp member 22 is improved.Typical loading docks of the prior art use solid diamond plate as theramp surface. The inventive loading dock 10 is used outdoors so tractionand snow/ice removal are critical.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate that in some embodiments, a solar panel 40 can bemounted to frame 12. Solar panel 40 is connected to a battery 42 and ahydraulic pump 44 to provide power for movement of loading dock 10 aswell as for operation of integrated dock leveler 46 and are contained ina containment box 52 located on the underside of ramp 10. It is withinthe scope of the invention to use a solar-powered hydraulic system toprovide power enabling movement of loading dock 10. Loading dock 10 canbe manufactured either with or without solar panel 40. If loading dock10 does not include solar panel 40 other conventional power sources canbe used. Using a solar panel 40 with a battery 42 eliminates the need torun cords or power outside to the location of loading dock 10 since theinventive loading dock 10 is an outdoor mobile loading dock. Someembodiments of the invention also include a built-in battery charger(not shown).

FIG. 3 illustrates that planar ramp member 22 can be comprised of manytypes of solid (such as diamond plate) or open-grate materials. In FIG.3, for example, planar ramp member 22 is substantially comprised ofopen-grate surface 38. FIG. 3 also illustrates that upper ramp portion34 includes two opposing lateral extension portions 60, 62 as well asthat upper ramp portion 34 includes an integrated dock leveler 46.

FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate that support beams 16 are affixed to anunderside of planar ramp member 22 and are configured to transfer andcarry the forklift tire load. Support beams 16 can be I-beams as well astube, channel-shaped or other shapes to satisfy specific structuralneeds. These will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate in more detail that appropriately sized I-beamscan be used and affixed to the underside of planar ramp member 22. Ascan be seen best in FIGS. 3 and 5, in some embodiments the direction ofsupport beams 16 changes at the intersection of lower end 24 of planarramp member 22 and upper ramp portion 34. Support beams 16 are affixedto the underside of upper ramp member 48 as well as affixed to theunderside of the complete length of planar ramp member 22 except at alower edge of lower end 24. FIG. 3 has a cutaway portion whichillustrates support beams 16 underneath open-grate section 38.

Upper end 26 of loading dock 10 includes a lip 30 at upper edge 28 asseen in FIG. 3. Lip 30 in some embodiments can be powered by solar panel40, hydraulic pump and battery. Lip 30 can also be powered by moreconventional methods as known by those skilled in the art in otherembodiments. Lip 30 in some embodiments can include a moveablesafety-barrier portion 50 and is at least five inches high. Lip 30 inother embodiments does not function as a safety barrier. When in use,lip 30 rotates onto the bed of a truck/trailer for easy loading andunloading. When not in use, lip 30 can also rotate in some embodimentsto act as an upright safety barrier to prevent fork trucks from drivingoff the end of mobile loading dock 10 inadvertently.

An alternative highly-related embodiment includes outdoor portableloading dock 10 having portable frame 12 configured to allow dock 10 tobe moved to different locations. Portable frame 12 includes two opposingside rails 14 and support beams 16. Dock 10 includes planar ramp member22 which is separate from and not integrally formed with portable frame12. Planar ramp member 22 has lower end 24 and upper end 26 with upperend 26 including upper edge 28 with lip 30. Lip 30 is able to beactivated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bedand a retracted/disengaged position (not shown). In this embodiment,upper ramp portion 34 is also adjacent upper edge 28 and substantiallyparallel to ground 36. In this embodiment, planar ramp member 22 is notwelded to frame 12.

A wide variety of materials are available for the various partsdiscussed and illustrated herein. Although the device has been describedin conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident thatmany alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within thespirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An outdoor mobile loading dock comprising:a frame including (a) two opposing side rails, and (b) support beams,the support beams having a first end and a second end, the first endsecured to one of the opposing side rails and the second end secured tothe second opposing side rail; a planar ramp member having a lower endand an upper end, the upper end including an upper edge having a lip,the lip being able to be activated between an extended/engaged positionto contact a truck bed and a retracted/disengaged position; and an upperramp portion adjacent the upper edge and being substantially parallel tothe ground, the planar ramp member being able to be moved between anupward and downward position, the support beams being affixed to anunderside of the planar ramp member and being configured to transfer andcarry a forklift tire load.
 2. The mobile loading dock of claim 1further including a solar panel mounted to the frame, the solar panelconnected to a battery and a hydraulic pump to provide power formovement of the loading dock.
 3. The mobile loading dock of claim 1wherein the upper ramp portion includes an integrated dock leveler. 4.The mobile loading dock of claim 1 wherein the lip includes a moveablesafety-barrier portion.
 5. The mobile loading dock of claim 1 furtherincluding a solar panel mounted to the frame, the solar panel connectedto a battery and a hydraulic pump to provide power for a leveling actionof the loading dock.
 6. The mobile loading dock of claim 5 wherein thebattery is a rechargeable battery.
 7. An outdoor portable loading dockcomprising: a portable frame configured to allow the dock to be moved todifferent locations, the portable frame including (a) two opposing siderails, and (b) support beams, the support beams having a first end and asecond end, the first end secured to one of the opposing side rails andthe second end secured to the second opposing side rail; and a planarramp member separate from and not integrally formed with the portableframe, the planar ramp member having a lower end and an upper end, theupper end including an upper edge having a lip, the lip being able to beactivated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bedand a retracted/disengaged position; and an upper ramp portion adjacentthe upper edge and being substantially parallel to the ground, the upperramp member being able to be moved between an upward and downwardposition, wherein the support beams are affixed to an underside of theplanar ramp member and are configured to transfer and carry a forklifttire load.
 8. The outdoor portable loading dock of claim 7 wherein theplanar ramp member is not welded to the portable frame.
 9. The mobileloading dock of claim 7 further including a solar panel mounted to theframe, the solar panel connected to a battery and a hydraulic pump toprovide power for movement of the loading dock.
 10. The mobile loadingdock of claim 7 wherein the upper ramp portion includes an integrateddock leveler.
 11. An outdoor portable loading dock comprising a planarramp member having a lower end and an upper end, the upper end includingan upper edge having a lip, the lip being able to be activated betweenan extended/engaged position to contact a truck bed and aretracted/disengaged position; and an upper ramp portion adjacent theupper edge and being substantially parallel to the ground, the planarramp member being able to be moved between an upward and downwardposition, the planar ramp member including support beams affixed to anunderside of the planar ramp member and being configured to transfer andcarry a forklift tire load.
 12. The mobile loading dock of claim 11wherein the lip includes a moveable safety-barrier portion.